Popular idol group AKB48's 30th single "So long!" (released on February 20th) sold 1,036,000 copies in its first week, and topped the Oricon weekly single ranking for the week of March 4th.
This marked AKB48's 17 consecutive chart topping single since "RIVER" (released in October 2009), and they have extended their own records for "the number of consecutive chart topping singles" and "total number of chart topping singles". Moreover, this

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During the last three days, the biggest improvement in terms of season-average ratings was accomplished by 'Itsuka Hi no Ataru Basho de' (NHK). This drama continues to do really well for an NHK drama and managed to record a double-digit rating for the first time during its run. 'Kasouken no Onna Season 12' (TV Asahi) also improved

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Three dramas were able to improve their average ratings over the last four days - 'dinner' (Fuji TV), 'Hancho 6' (TBS), and 'Nobunaga no Chef' (TV Asahi).
The other dramas had difficulties finding their audience on the extended weekend with a public holiday on Monday. Especially with Fuji TV's 'Four Continents Figure Skating

On the first day of "AKB48 Request Hour Set List Best 100 2013" held at TOKYO DOME CITY HALL on January 24th, the MV for AKB48's upcoming 30th single "So long!" (to be released on February 20th) was revealed. It was announced that the MV was directed by a film director Obayashi Nobuhiko.
"So long!" is AKB48's 6th "Sakura" song, and Watanabe Mayu will be the center for the first time.
The MV that was revealed at the event was the short v